Remember                                                        In Memory of Bill Wolf  and all of our fallen brothers.....       

CAPITOL CITY
VETERAN

Newsletter for Sacramento Valley's Chapter 500 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

"We remember!"  JULY-AUGUST, 2007 "Be Proud"

               
                           

     Well, May was quite the month with several Memorial Ceremonies to attend and several events that honored our fallen brothers and sisters.  The 5K No Excuses Run of which the Chapter is the beneficiary attracted many people and was a great success.  In June, several members attended and I was honored to speak at the annual tribute to Korean War Veterans held in Maidu Park in Roseville. We had two educational meetings in May;  Bill Parente, CDVA spoke to the members about all of the CA Veteran Homes and in June, Attorney Laura Rojas explained the benefits of drawing up trusts for your estate.  Best of all, in May, was our annual "Reading of the Names".  All went off without a hitch and was one of the best we've hosted.  I look forward to seeing you at the July meeting where you will learn about the Cal-Vet Home Loan Program, and don't forget about the 1st Responders free day at the Fair on August 28th.
                                                         Your President, Ted Adams

                             MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!
                        SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2007
                                        FAMILY PICNIC
     The last two years, we had a family camp-out at the Golden West Fly-In in Marysville.  This year we will be having a one day family picnic at Camp Pollock.  If anyone has volunteered for the Stand Down, you know what a great place this is.  We will be using the Lodge and nice shady area in front.  It will be an all day affair starting at 10AM.  Food at Noon, and very possibly some live music for an afternoon of entertainment.  We'll also have our big raffle for the year.  Be sure to bring your ticket stubs that you have collected for attending Chapter events.  We will have some really great prizes.  If you have been to a Chapter event or events, and haven't collected a ticket, name the event/s and you can collect the ticket/s at the picnic.
     The chapter will provide the drinks and meat, just bring a POTLUCK DISH or SNACK and the family and be prepared to have a good time.

        CURRENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

GENERAL MEETING

Date:  Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Time:  7PM
Where:  Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall
       (Directions on Page 10)
GUEST SPEAKER
Michelle Petruzzelli
Avalar Real Estate & Mortgage Network

     Avalar Real Estate is an approved CAL VET Broker and Full Service Real Estate Office.  Michelle will be speaking to the members regarding the advantages of a CAL VET Home Loan.  Bring your questions for the question and answer period.

                                   TUESDAY, AUGUST 28.
                    1ST RESPONDERS' DAY AT THE FAIR
                                       NOON - 10PM
     As per tradition, there will be NO GENERAL MEETING due to the 1st Responders Day at the CA State Fair.  VVA500 will have a table, but we do not have the details on location yet.  We are expected to be there from Noon until 10PM.   We will need several volunteers to help man our table.  Even just a couple of hours will help.  This gives everyone the opportunity to wander around the fair.  Keep in mind, it is a FREE DAY for Veterans.  Wear a hat, have your VVA card, or VA card, etc. handy in case you are asked.  AVVA cards have also been accepted for admittance.  Food and drink is provided for those that help with the table and those that respond first up to the amount allotted by the Fair, will receive free parking passes.
     E-Mail or call the office with the times you can help.  When calling or e-mailing, have your drivers' license number handy and your date of birth.  This a requirement for the Fair and must be turned in to them.
     Don't forget every event the Chapter is involved in entitles you to one free raffle ticket.  There will be some really great prizes to win.  We'll have the drawing at the family picnic in September.  (See that information on the left.)

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

1
Siege of Fire Base Ripcord Began - 1970

5
 

11

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

12

13
 

14
Interagency Coalition for Homeless Meeting

15

16

17

18
Young Marines Graduation Day

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20
Stand Down Task Force Meeting
MCL Meeting

21
NO GENERAL MEETING - SEE 8/28

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23

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25

26

27

28
1st Responders Day at the Fair

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 Labor Day is September 3rd.
Don't forget!!!  Family Picnic September 8 - Camp Pollock
Stand Down - September 14, 15, 16

Watch E-mail for Purple Heart Day Details

All invited to attend Young Marine Graduation at the Roseville Hall - 1PM

     CONNECTIONS

     A couple of interesting stories about people connecting through the chapter.
     Some time ago, the VVA500 website had a guest book which was supposed to be used for comments, Vets looking for each other, etc.  We had to shut the guest book down as it became inundated with porn, drugs and the marketing of just about everything, even though it was requested that those kind of entries not be made.  It was pretty time consuming to go in everyday and delete all of the really objectionable material.  We'll try to set it up again one of these days and see what happens.  But before the shut down, some months before, there was an entry from a gentleman that was writing a book and was looking for a specific Veteran that had been killed.  He wanted to include his story in a book.  Subsequently, we published the request in the newsletter, and then really heard nothing further until just a month or so ago.  The Veteran's daughter happened to be browsing our website and reading newsletters from the archives.  Low and behold, she found the request.  She then e-mailed the Chapter and the writer simultaneously, as the writer's e-mail address was in the newsletter.  She was wondering if we had any further information about the writer in case she did not hear from him.  But, then in a day or two, she actually heard from him and they were going to make contact so he could get the information from her.  She was elated.  The rest of the story is almost just as interesting.  She lives in New Orleans and was a victim of Katrina.  But the great part, is she managed to save all of her father's documentation, pictures, etc. , so his story will be able to be included in the book.  What a great legacy that will be for his daughter.

     Also, in the last few months, I received an e-mail from a lady in Texas.  She also was browsing through our website, and was reading the archived newsletters.  She saw the name of one of our members on the birthday list and inquired as to whether it could be her long lost cousin whom she had been looking for. She left her phone number and of course we had her e-mail address.  We told her that we would contact the member and have him contact her if he would like.  We notified our member and there did seem to be some problem of getting in touch with the lady by phone, but finally they were able to connect.  He told us that he had a big family, but didn't think any would be all the way in Texas.  But, then after a week or so, they did connect and the member called and it was for real.   They were actually cousins and had found each other now after several years.

     It really is a small world when you think about it.  And to think, even just a name in the newsletter birthday list or a short paragraph looking for someone in particular made the connection for some long lost relatives and having a life memorialized in a book.  Guess we should start up that Guest Book again and try for some more connections.  Check out the website sometime.  If you are new to the chapter, you can pretty much see the history of VVA500 from at least 2002 by reading the newsletter archives. See them at:
www.norcaltrav.com/vva500.htm.

                                       AFTER ACTION REPORT

5/14 - E.D. McNeill attended the Stand Down Board Meeting
5/15 - Regular VVA500 General Meeting took place with Bill Parente informing the members re:  CA Veterans Homes.
5/19 - VVA500 participated in the pre-Capital to Capital Ride to the Wall festivities held at the Hard Rock Cafe.
5/20 - President Adams, Bd. Member Harper, Secretary McNeill spoke, Diana Titus sang, members participated in the departure of the Capital to Capital Ride to the Wall held at the Capitol.
5/21 - E.D. McNeill attended the Stand Down Task Force Meeting.
5/23 - VVA500 members attended Operation Recognition where Bd. Member Davis and Secretary McNeill received their high-school diplomas.
5/25 - The Young Marines participated in placing flags on Veterans graves at the Old City Cemetery.
5/27 - VVA500 hosted the annual "Reading of the Names".
5/28 - VA500 members participated as volunteers in the 5k No Excuses Run of which the Chapter is a beneficiary.
5/28 - Member Kauffman represented VVA500 with our flag at the annual Jazz Festival Memorial Ceremony.
5/28 - E.D. McNeill and Member Boltinghouse attended the Memorial Ceremony at Mather Hospital.
5/28 - Secretary McNeill and E.D. McNeill attended the Memorial Ceremony at the Mexican-American Memorial.
6/3 - Secretary McNeill and Bd. Member Harper participated in the event for the return of the Capital to Capital Ride to the Wall and it was attended by several VVA500 members.
6/4 - Joe Cavanagh, VVA500 representative attended the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall Board meeting.
6/5 - The regular VVA500 Board Meeting was held.
6/9-10 - Secretary McNeill and Treasurer Quint attended the quarterly meeting of the California State Council.
6/11 - E.D. McNeill attended the Stand Down Board Meeting.
6/12 - E.D. McNeill attended the Veterans Committee for the Interagency Council to end Homelessness.
6/13 - E.D. McNeill attended the Veterans Advisory Council meeting at Mather Hospital.
6/18 - E. D. McNeill attended the Stand Down Task Force Meeting.
6/19 - The VVA500 General Meeting was held where Attorney Laura Rojas gave a presentation on Estate Planning, Trusts and Wills.
6/23 - President Adams spoke and several members attended a ceremony honoring Korean War Veterans in Roseville's Maidu Park.

STAND DOWN

     Don't forget, the Stand Down is coming up soon.  The dates are September 14, 15, 16.  Help setting up the camp can also be used during the days before.  Lend a hand to help your homeless Veteran brothers and sisters for a few or many hours.  The Stand Down is a working, small city for three days.  Call the office for a Volunteer Form or you can download one from the VVA website.

HELP FOR PTSD FOR IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN RETURNEES

     Veterans returning from combat zones in Afghanistan and Iraq can soon opt to take part in a new post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment program at the Veterans Home of CA at Yountville.  A $5.6 million private grant provided will cover the fundamental costs of the program - an enterprise of San Francisco's Tides Center supervised by the CA Department of Veterans Affairs - and keep it up and running for three years, according to a press release from the CDVA.  Called "The Pathway Home, " the program will counsel and treat veterans facing a range of mental health issues including PTSD.  The program will offer assistance from a host of professionals, including PTSD counselors, doctors, nurses, family therapists, physical therapists and dietitians.  Steve Schilling, special representative for the Vet Home, said the program will cost approximately $1.25 annually, adding that Fred Gusman of the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System will direct the enterprise.  The program, to be launched in Aug 07, will be held at Madison Hall on Vets Home grounds and can accommodate up to 40 people at a time.  Marcella McCormack, administrator of the Vets Home, said veterans will reside at the Vets Home for treatment from 30 to 120 days and then return to their communities.  After the completion of treatment, she said, veterans will keep in close contact with program counselors. 

                                MATHER HOSPITAL UPDATE
A few notes from the recent Veterans Advisory Council Meeting.
1.  A new Veteran's Advocate for Iraqi/Afghanistan returnees has been added, Ryan File.  He will assist Jo Ann Pinotti in helping the returnees in the "Seamless Transition Program".  If you know of a returnee that needs assistance call 916-843-9075.
2.  1/3 of all returning Veterans have TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Mather Hospital in conjunction with Palo Alto will work to determine treatment for those with TBI.  The Veteran will be given a basic test of five questions when entering the VA system.  Depending on the answers to these, another set of 22 questions might be in order.  If determined to be suffering from TBI, the Veteran could be sent to Palo Alto for specialized treatment.
3.  Mental Health - The appropriation of the budget will allow 37 new positions in the Mental Health field.  A home treatment program is being initiated where the counselor can treat mental health patients at home when appropriate.
4.  Of interest to all that must visit Mather, while some new parking has been added, there should be 33 additional spaces available by the airplane in front ready by the end of July.
     ON THE VBA SIDE - (VETERANS BENEFITS AND CLAIMS)
1.  Timeline for adjudicating claims is approximately 100 days. This is for Iraqi/Afghanistan Veterans.  Others will be longer.  Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans have priority status.  This is not due to VBA decisions, but is mandated by Congress.  Complaints re:  this should go to your Congressperson.
2.  Recruiting for 11 positions is taking place for the Old Placerville VA office and 2 at McClellan.  When all hired, this may help to make the claims process system more timely.

CA LEGISLATION CONCERNING VETERANS, CONT.

AB 1662 - Absentees:  Overseas Voting - Cook - This bill would set criteria for  each special run-off election ballots  Military personnel stationed overseas are considered Special Absentee Voters.
AB 7 - Armed Service Members - consumer loans - Lieu/Saldana - CA enforcement of federal law  - creditor may not impose an annual percentage rate of interest greater than 36% on consumer credit loans.
AB 111 - National Guard Assumption Program of Loans for Education - Blakeslee - Continuation of program that provides for the state to assume the education loans of members of the National Guard taking college level courses.  Limited benefit, established for established financial need.
AB 257 - Veterans, Park passes - Anderson - Veterans with 50% of more disability rating,  former POW's and Medal of Honor winners, eliminates all fees for passes to all units in the State Park System.
AB 282 - Crimes:  Military Decoratons - Cook - Provides that it is a misdemeanor for a person to falsely represent himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal from the Armed Forces of the US, the CA National Guard, State Military Reserve, or Naval Militia, or any service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration, or medal, or any colorable imitation of such item, with the intent to defraud.
SB 630 - Veterans Homes - Aanestad - An urgency measure, authorizes $30 million in lease revenue bonds to be used for the acquisition, construction, establishment, equipping, renovation, or expansion of new veterans' homes in Shasta and Fresno counties. 
SB 829 - Wyland - Increases CAL-VET loan amount for mobile homes.
     The above bill updates come to us from member and lobbyist for Veterans Organizations Pete Conaty and Bill Manes, Legislative Officer of the CA State Commanders Veterans Council.
     In addition, Assemblyman Dave Jones has let us know about a few bills he has authored that we all should be interested in:
AB 779 - Data Breach Notification, Identification and Restitution - This bill would enhance consumer protection by properly identifying the entity responsible for the data breach, require better data protection by retailers and allow for reimbursement of relevant costs to credit unions and community banks stemming from the data breach.  The "entity" includes any person, business or public agency.
AB 1168 - Protecting Social Security Numbers - Government Agencies are releasing SS numbers, which can be used for identity theft.  This bill would protect consumers from identity theft by prohibiting local government agencies from releasing to the public records that contain more than the last four digits of a social security number. The bill would also require universities and colleges in CA to truncate SSNs in their electronic student and employee records.  Further the bill would require the Franchise Tax Board to truncate SSNs on lien abstracts that it files as public documents.      Continued on Page 7...............

        LEGISLATIVE UPDATES, CONT. from Page 6

     AB 1168 cont....Finally the bill would allow the Secretary of State's office to stop certain financial documents from being filed with the office as public records if they contain any more than the last four digits of an SSN.
AB 1727 - Probate Omnibus - This is a followup bill to the successful AB 1363, the Omnibus and Conservatorship and Guardianship Reform Act of 2006.  This bill will ensure these reforms, critical to the financial, physical, and emotional well-being of vulnerable and dependent adults, are properly implemented.  This bill also seeks to enact a legislative proposal made by Chief Justice Ronald George to eliminate additional requirements for caregivers to receive testamentary gifts when those gifts predate their role as caregivers.  This will help ensure that the testamentary wishes of dependent adults are carried out for caregivers with whom they have a pre-existing personal relationship , while still helping prevent abuse in the case of other caregivers.
                     NOW ON THE FEDERAL SIDE
     We received word from Congresswoman Matsui's office on the passage of HR 2642.  The VA and Military Construction Bill.  This bill contains the largest ever increase in VA spending.  In brief, some of the highlights are:
1.  Increases the VA budget by $6.7 billion above the FY07 level.
2.  VA budget for medical care exceeds the budget of the veterans' service organizations.  This will ensure quality health care for 5.8 million patients, including Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans.
3.  Will significantly reduce the 400,000 claims backlog for veterans waiting for disability and other benefits by adding more than 1,100 new claims processors.
4.  Provides much needed maintenance of VA health care facilities. A backlog of $5 billion in maintenance currently exists.
5.  Provides $600 million more than the President's request for mental health, PTSD and TBI, adds additional polytrauma centers along with additional centers for mental health and PTSD.
6.  Provides for a smooth transition program from DOD to VA to improve access to care, especially for PTSD and TBI.
7.  Develops and operates a toll-free telephone and web-based hotline for veterans to report on deficiencies in VA medical facilities and care.
8.  Provides for and investment of $21.4 billion for upgrade and construction of barracks, housing and training facilities.
9. Funding to grow the military, adding 65,000 Army, 27,000 Marines, and 9,000 National Guard and Reserve troops.
10. Funds the 2005 base realignment and closure process at $8.2 billion.  Supports the relocation of 70,000 troops from bases in Korea and Europe.
11.  Increases funding for the Inspector General for VA to improve services for veterans and their families and to prevent and deter potential waste, fraud and inefficiencies.
    Several other provisions are included.  The bill must go through several steps before coming up for the President's signature.

PRESIDENT ADAMS PRESENTS BG HAGAN, GUEST SPEAKER WITH VVA500 MEMBERSHIP AT THE "READING"

VVA500 COLOR GUARD MEMBERS LAY THE WREATH AT THE VV MEMORIAL ON THE DAY OF THE "READING"

THE "WOLFHOUNDS" LAY THEIR TRAVELING WREATH AT THE "READING".

THE ASSOCIATION OF FORMER VIETNAMESE POLITICAL PRISONERS LAY THEIR WREATH AT THE "READING"

ATTORNEY LAURA ROJAS EXPLAINS ESTATE MATTERS TO MEMBERS AT THE JUNE MEETING

VVA500 PRES. ADAMS SPEAKS AT THE TRIBUTE TO KOREAN WAR VETERANS AT MAIDU PARK IN ROSEVILLE